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eb00kie's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book marries the language and humor levels of
“You’re porking a geriatric!”
with pretty heavy topics of bio-deterministic societies or “your biological sex dictates your place”and mandated/mandatory pregnancies pregnancy.
If there’s an author that can do that mash-up justice is this one, ridiculously overwrought sex scenes nothwithstanding. But the worldbuilding is very detailed, and, more importantly, very consistent.Would have been worth exploring abortion.
“You’re porking a geriatric!”
with pretty heavy topics of bio-deterministic societies or “your biological sex dictates your place”
If there’s an author that can do that mash-up justice is this one, ridiculously overwrought sex scenes nothwithstanding. But the worldbuilding is very detailed, and, more importantly, very consistent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Dysphoria, Suicide, and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy
melodypowers65's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The 5th Gender is set in the same sci-fi universe as Crudrat, but where Crudrat was firmly YA, The 5th Gender is very much adult (including sex scenes between male humans/aliens and discussions of sex, murder and suicide).
Tristol, the main character, is a lovable, enthusiastic lavender alien from a race (Galoi) with 5 sexes/genders. Detective Drey Hastion is human, but seems to be from a different set of space humans than the Wheel humans from Crudrat. Comparing the different species in space and their attitudes to sex, gender and sexuality made for an interesting and open exploration of humanity's own, sometimes limited, views on those topics.
Overall the book is light, funny and sweet - generally what one expects from a Gail Carriger book! I think I preferred it to Crudrat, maybe because I felt like the sci-fi elements were less present? At its heart, the book is a romance and mystery story.
Tristol, the main character, is a lovable, enthusiastic lavender alien from a race (Galoi) with 5 sexes/genders. Detective Drey Hastion is human, but seems to be from a different set of space humans than the Wheel humans from Crudrat. Comparing the different species in space and their attitudes to sex, gender and sexuality made for an interesting and open exploration of humanity's own, sometimes limited, views on those topics.
Overall the book is light, funny and sweet - generally what one expects from a Gail Carriger book! I think I preferred it to Crudrat, maybe because I felt like the sci-fi elements were less present? At its heart, the book is a romance and mystery story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Xenophobia, Vomit, and Pregnancy
alwaysshure's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia and Suicide
Minor: Vomit
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The book tried to build a diverse and complex science-fiction world, which I think it does with relative success. This being said, some elements of the galoi felt a bit transphobic to me. The author tries to differentiate them from humans with galoi having 5 genders and humans having fewer, but this dichotomy erases the infinite number of genders that humans have.
The relationship between Tris and Drey felt rushed and without any real substance, though both characters were likeable enough. I did like the general plot of the book, but I think that many elements of the story could have used more polishing and detail.
The relationship between Tris and Drey felt rushed and without any real substance, though both characters were likeable enough. I did like the general plot of the book, but I think that many elements of the story could have used more polishing and detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Sexual content, and Vomit
jennifox's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The relationship felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped and the mystery was a bit preachy. Interesting universe though. I wish we'd seen more of life on the space station.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Suicide
triskellionquinn's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A pretty intriguing exploration of gender vs biological sex vs gender roles, all wrapped up in a delightfully quick, steamy and enjoyable sci-fi mystery.
Though I am docking a few points for a harmful line regarding trans men when Detective Hastion refers to a past lover as “an FTM”. That’s incredibly transphobic, but I’m going to give the author the benefit of the doubt and say it was out of unintended ignorance at the time the book was written.
Aside from that, a quick TW to anyone who is sensitive to the topics of self harm or suicide might want to approach this with caution, as it is not a glazed over topic.
3.75 rather than a solid 4 because I couldn’t get past the FTM comment, and the mystery reveal was a teensy bit predictable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicide, Transphobia, and Vomit
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